Spanish Town Bans Muslim Festivals in Public Facilities, Sparking Backlash

Spanish Town Bans Muslim Festivals in Public Facilities, Sparking Backlash
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A local authority in Jumilla, south-east Spain, has banned Muslims from using public facilities such as civic centres and gyms to celebrate religious festivals including Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, The Guardian reported.

The measure, introduced by the conservative People’s party (PP) with far-right Vox abstaining and left-wing parties opposing, states that municipal sports facilities cannot host religious, cultural, or social activities “alien to our identity” unless organised by the local authority.

Vox hailed the move as the first ban on Islamic festivals in Spain’s public spaces, calling Spain “the land of Christian people.” Muslim community leaders condemned the decision as discriminatory and potentially unconstitutional under Spain’s guarantee of religious freedom.

Jumilla, with a population of about 27,000, includes around 7.5% residents from mostly Muslim countries. Critics, including regional socialist leaders, warned the decision risks undermining social cohesion and ignores the region’s centuries-long Muslim heritage. Legal challenges are expected.